Want to toss out that old CRT TV—or any other old electronics—but you don’t know how?

Yep, in some states it’s illegal to toss those old TVs in the landfill. They contain lead and other toxins that can leach into groundwater. Some states have laws that mandate that manufacturers take responsibility for recycling (or e-cycling) old TVs and other electronics. Massachusetts is considering one this week.

Eighteen states and New York City already have e-cycling laws, with programs in place or about to start, including California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia.

However, TVs are not yet a part of programs in Hawaii, Michigan Missouri, Oklahama, Texas and Virginia, though it is being considered in several of those states. There are also different ways these programs are set up and who pays for them, as explained in this article on the free of fee-based models.

For those who just want to know where and how to get of that thing, here are six ways:

1. Check the Electronic Takeback Coalition‘s comprehensive chart of E-Waste laws and pending legislation by state. There’s also a chart comparing what can be recycled in each state, and a detailed description of each law. (pdf links)

    

2. Find listings of local e-waste collection sites at E-Cycling Central and Mygreenelectronics. Many are municipal facilities that will only accept waste from that city or town’s residents, but private e-cyclers and others are listed as well. Other helpful information services are listed here.

Read the full article at Electonic House